In many areas it's a little early to begin planting, but you can assuage garden fever by tending to your garden tools. Clean them, sharpen them, lubricate them. Then, you'll be ready for gardening season the minute the soil is warm enough to plant.

Step 1. Use a putty knife or wooden paint stirrer to scrape off encrusted dirt.

Step 2. Remove mud and rust spots with a wire brush.

Step 3. Use a steel file to give spades or hoes a ready-for-action edge, backside only. Spritz tools with a protective oil.

• Sharpen pruning shears with a whetstone. Be sure to follow the existing bevel.
• Treat tools with moving parts, such as shears and action hoes, with a lubricating oil.
• Using sandpaper, smooth away rough spots on wooden handles. Brush on boiled linseed oil and let it absorb into the wood. Repeat the oil application, then wipe off excess oil.
• When shopping for tools, look for a style that fits comfortably in your grasp. A wide range of handles, sizes, and weights are available for most tools.
• When purchasing tools, consider ones with brightly colored handles, so you can find them easily when you lay them down in the garden. Some gardeners paint the wooden handles of their tools bright red so they will stand out against the green.